My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

"I have come today for two reasons. The first is to observe the ceremony and congratulate the Martial Arts Academy on producing such exceptional talent. The second is for Liang Cheng, Liang Zhenchuan."

All eyes in the hall instantly focused on Liang Cheng.

Shen Jun took something from within his robes. It was a palm-sized token, made of a material that was neither gold nor jade. It was dark purple. The front was embossed with the Linwu City Emblem, and on the back, the powerful word "Elder" was inscribed.

The token shimmered with a subtle luster in the light of the setting sun.

"By defeating the Fire Worship Cult on Black Stone Island, Liang Zhenchuan performed a great service to Lin Wu City, eliminating a vile threat and securing our rearguard.

In accordance with the laws of the City Lord’s Mansion, and after discussion between myself and my colleagues—"

He held up the token with both hands, his voice echoing throughout the venue:

"I hereby appoint Liang Zhenchuan as an Honored Guest Elder of the Lin Wu City Lord’s Mansion!"

Honored Guest Elder!

The crowd below the stage immediately erupted in an uproar!

The difference between an Honored Guest and an Honored Guest Elder might only be a single word, but the distinction is night and day!

An Honored Guest is merely a nominal title, enjoying a certain stipend and some conveniences.

But an Honored Guest Elder holds the highest honorary position outside the core decision-making circle of the City Lord’s Mansion. It is a venerable status, and they enjoy the highest level of stipend from the Mansion.

In an emergency, their token can even be used to directly mobilize a portion of the garrison under the direct command of the City Lord’s Mansion!

This truly integrated Liang Cheng into the highest echelons of Lin Wu City’s power and defense structure. It was the greatest recognition Shen Jun could bestow on behalf of the city’s authorities.

In the nearly twenty-year history of Lin Wu City, no Martial Artist so young had ever received such an honor.

Shen Jun continued, "With this token, Elder Liang may consult any non-classified archives in the City Lord’s Mansion at any time. You will receive an annual Tribute Gold of five thousand taels, and your resource allocation for elixirs will be equivalent to that of a Vice City Lord."

"In the event of a crisis or special circumstances facing the city, you may use this token to command up to three hundred members of the Black Flood Dragon Guard, or a corresponding number of the city’s garrison."

As he spoke, he personally handed the token to Liang Cheng.

Once again, all eyes fell upon Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng’s expression was calm, but inwardly he understood. ’This is a reward for my deeds, but it’s also an attempt to win me over. More than that, it’s an alliance based on a recognition of my strength.’

The Martial Arts Academy’s number one True Inheritor, and now an Honored Guest Elder of the City Lord’s Mansion—his position in Lin Wu City was now completely unshakable.

He glanced at Bai Hong, who smiled and gave a slight nod.

Liang Cheng no longer hesitated. He accepted the heavy, dark purple token with both hands. It felt warm to the touch.

"Liang Cheng accepts. My thanks to the City Lord for this great honor."

Shen Jun laughed heartily and clapped Liang Cheng firmly on the shoulder. "Excellent! With Elder Liang, Lin Wu City is truly fortunate!"

...

Zhou Hu stayed on True Inheritance Peak for another two days before finally taking his leave.

The Martial Arts Hall couldn’t be left unattended for long. The reputation of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall was Yang Wei’s life’s work, and the roots of both master and disciples.

"I’m leaving the Martial Arts Hall in your hands."

Liang Cheng and Zhao Yuan walked Zhou Hu to the mountain gate. Liang Cheng handed him a heavy bundle containing some restorative elixirs from the Martial Arts Academy.

Zhou Hu took it without protest and clapped Liang Cheng on the shoulder. "Don’t worry. With your reputation now, I bet even more people will want to come and learn martial arts. I’ll look after the Hall. You and Junior Brother Zhao take good care of Master."

Liang Cheng and Zhao Yuan nodded together.

Yang Wei had actually wanted to return as well, but Liang Cheng persuaded him to stay. Yang An was still a swaddled infant and needed more delicate care.

Watching Lady Ning skillfully cradle and soothe Yang An, while Yaya teased him with a rattle to the side, drawing soft gurgles of laughter from the baby, a gentle look appeared in Yang Wei’s eyes. He finally let out a long sigh and decided to stay.

From then on, Courtyard Number Three on True Inheritance Peak was filled with the cries and laughter of a baby. Lady Ning was busy but fulfilled, and the deep furrows on Yang Wei’s brow smoothed out day by day.

Liang Cheng stood under the covered walkway, watching his mother and Yaya fuss over Yang An while Yang Wei tried to help out clumsily from the side. An unconscious smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

He turned and returned to his Quiet Chamber, preparing to begin a new round of secluded cultivation.

’Strength. It is the only foundation for protecting all of this.’

His Mayfly Life Chart allowed him to advance in his cultivation without any bottlenecks, but there were no shortcuts when it came to arduous training and accumulation.

However, as the saying goes, the tree may prefer calm, but the wind will not subside.

Two days into his seclusion, an unusual commotion arose from the base of True Inheritance Peak. It was accompanied by two powerful and unfamiliar auras that shot brazenly from the distance, making no attempt to conceal their approach as they headed straight for the summit.

"Where is Liang Cheng?"

"The Martial Arts Academy’s number one True Inheritor? What a grand title! We’ve been away from the Academy for several years. We’d like to see just what kind of person dares to claim such an honor!"

The voices were loud, their undisguised hostility instantly shattering the tranquility of True Inheritance Peak.

In the courtyard, Lady Ning looked worriedly toward the Quiet Chamber. Yang Wei frowned, handing Yang An to Yaya, a sense of unease growing within him.

On the mountain path of True Inheritance Peak, many disciples of the Martial Arts Academy had stopped to watch. Their expressions changed as they recognized the two figures speeding upward.

"It’s Senior Brother Chen and Senior Brother Han!"

"Weren’t they assigned to guard the border towns? Why are they back all of a sudden?"

"Looks like they’re here for Senior Brother Liang. After all, how could they be satisfied with him taking the title of number one True Inheritor?"

Seeing the situation, a quick-witted disciple immediately ran to the Law Enforcement Hall.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall, Lü Bingchen happened to be discussing matters with Yan Song. Upon hearing the disciple’s urgent report, Lü Bingchen simply smiled and took a sip of his tea.

"Let them be."

Lü Bingchen’s tone was placid. "Chen Han and Han Li have been stationed outside for six years. Liang Cheng is a more recent True Inheritor, so it’s natural they wouldn’t accept it. The title of number one True Inheritor isn’t something we can just declare. It only holds weight after some people have personally tested the man who holds it."

Yan Song nodded in agreement. "It’s for the best. Let those two, who’ve gotten soft during their training outside, learn that there’s always someone better. Liang Cheng can be the one to knock some sense into them for us."

Neither of them was worried in the slightest. The battle on Black Stone Island had already been the most brutal test of Liang Cheng’s strength.

Although Chen Han and Han Li were veteran True Inheritors, they had grown complacent during their external assignments. The gap between them and Liang Cheng, a man who could slay a True Essence Realm Right Envoy in battle, was self-evident.